Wasps expressed relief after escaping punishment for refusing to play their Guinness Premiership clash with Sale Sharks at Edgeley Park last month due to surface water on the pitch.

A Premier Rugby disciplinary panel dismissed the charges on Monday night after deciding that a breach of regulations had not been proved, "delighting" Wasps management but angering Sale, who said the decision will come as a "shock" to their supporters.

A statement from Wasps read: "London Wasps are delighted that the members of Premier Rugby's designated disciplinary group decided that charges had not been proven and accordingly the charges have been dismissed by the panel.

"London Wasps will make no further statement until the written decision is released within 48 hours, however the club are pleased that the matter has been resolved so that our full attention can be turned to our game against Bayonne at Adams Park on Saturday."

Wasps potentially faced a range of sanctions, including a points deduction and fine, for their refusal to play the game. They deemed the surface to be dangerous and the match was officially postponed almost 15 minutes after the scheduled 7.45pm kick-off.

Referee David Rose was happy for the game to go ahead and spectators had taken their seats when the decision was announced, angering Sale and their fans.

Sale revealed they would study a written judgment expected in the next 48 hours before deciding what action they might take.

Chief executive officer James Jennings said: "This decision is incredibly disappointing and will come as a shock to all Sale Sharks supporters who were at Edgeley Park on the night when the game was cancelled. We will issue a further statement immediately following the publication of the panel's reasons for its decision."